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Maybe we need to focus a little more on running to the outside vs. lining our entire offense up in between the hash marks, thus drawing all defenders into the box, and then running directly into that box. You know...do stuff that makes sense.

The Steelers will have to replace unrestricted free agent Rashard Mendenhall and recently waived rookie kick returner Chris Rainey. Fortunately for the Steelers, this is a very good running back class that has a ton of depth. They likely won't have to invest a high pick on a running back, but should they choose to, their will be a couple great backs available in round one as well.

First Round Prospects

Giovani Bernard, North Carolina - Besides being the best available running back in the draft, Bernard was also one of college footballs most electric punt returners this past season, averaging 16.4 yards per return and returning two for touchdowns. He has all the tools to be a dominant NFL running back and although he is not currently being talked about as an option to the Steelers, I certainly think he is one.

Eddie Lacy, Alabama - Lacy is built like a truck at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds and he absolutely ran over, around, and through the vaunted Notre Dame defense. He has an incredible spin move, great vision, and great technique. He is more of a late first round pick but the Steelers could trade down and try and pick him up.

Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State - Randle was an unbelievable running back for the past two years, doing everything that was asked of him. He is a great receiving back, has great vision and power, and is very elusive. He, like Lacy, is a late first round option but the Steelers could work a trade back for him.

Second Round Prospects

Jawan Jamison, Rutgers - Jamison was enjoying a phenomenal junior season before an ankle injury slowed him down for his last four games. He has unbelievable quickness, great vision, and has an uncanny ability for making people miss in the open field. He also has blistering speed and runs with a decent amount of power.

Stepfan Taylor, Stanford - Taylor has had an incredible career, rushing for over 1100 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of the last three years. He has also caught at least 25 balls in each of the past three seasons. The question is, with all the wear and tear he has had on his body, how many years does he have left on his body.

Sleepers/Kick Returners

Rex Burkhead, Nebraska - Burkhead had an injury filled senior season but he is still a great running back. He runs with great power, has a low center of gravity, and possesses good cutting ability. He does not have blazing speed but he can do just about everything needed. He is projected as a third to fourth round pick and might be an intriguing option for a team needing a number one back.

Kenjon Barner, Oregon - Barner has had an incredible career, but he really exploded in his senior season, rushing for over 1700 yards and 20 touchdowns. Despite having great speed and explosiveness, he is not a kick returner. However, he does have all the tools to replace Mendenhall. Barner is projected as a third to fourth round pick.

Robbie Rouse, Fresno State - Rouse, at just 5-foot-7, 180 pounds, is very small in frame but unbelievable talented. In his senior season, he had over 1800 yards and 14 touchdowns combined in terms of rushing and receiving. While he did not return kicks in college, he does seem to have the ability to do that if a team wants him to. He is projected as a fourth to sixth round pick and is a very intriguing option.

Kerwynn Williams, Utah State - Williams is very similar to Rouse, at just 5-foot-8, 190 pounds. In his senior season, he ran for over 1500 yards and had over 650 receiving yards with 20 combined touchdowns. Like Rouse, he did not return kicks in college due to his importance to his team but he does seem to have the ability to do so at the next level. He is projected as a fifth to seventh round pick and I would love if the Steelers took a chance on him.

Denard Robinson, Michigan - Robinson is one of the most electric college quarterbacks of all time, but at the next level he is a receiver or a running back. The last four games of the season, he really showed a lot playing running back and he also has the elusiveness and craftiness to be a great NFL kick returner. He is projected as a fourth to sixth round pick and might be the best punt returner in the draft, despite never returning a kick in college.

The top 2013 running back prospects available for the 2013 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted.

This page was last updated Jan. 12, 2013..
By Charlie Campbell.

Giovani Bernard**, RB, North Carolina

Height: 5-10. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
1/12/13: Bernard was an electric play-maker for North Carolina this year. He dominated conference play including a massive day (23-267) against Virginia Tech. Bernard found the end zone in every game he played in 2012.

Bernard ran for 1,228 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, while averaging 6.7 yards per carry. He also hauled in 47 passes for 490 yards and five touchdowns. Bernard averaged 16 yards per punt return as well, and even scored on two of them. One was the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter against N.C. State. He missed two games with an undisclosed injury.

Eddie Lacy*, RB, Alabama

Height: 6-0. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
1/12/13: Lacy totaled 1,322 yards (6.4 average) and 17 touchdowns this season on only 204 carries. He was a power runner for Alabama and lost touches to standout freshman T.J. Yeldon. Lacy caught 22 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns, too. He had massive performances against Georgia (20-181) in the SEC Championship and Notre Dame (20-140) in the National Championship.

Joseph Randle*, RB, Oklahoma State

Height: 6-1. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
1/12/13: Randle averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2012 on his way to 1,417 yards and 14 touchdowns. He picked up 28 receptions for 224 yards as well. Randle ran for 199 yards on 25 carries against Texas including a long run for a score. He had big games against TCU, Oklahoma, Baylor and Iowa State.

Jawan Jamison, RB, Rutgers

Height: 5-8. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
1/12/13: Jamison carried the Rutgers offense this season, running for 1,075 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Jamison totaled 897 yards (3.9 average) and nine touchdowns in 2011. The compactly built back has a nice mix of power and speed. Many compare him to former Scarlet Knights running back Ray Rice.

Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford

Height: 5-11. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
1/12/13: Taylor was phenomenal for Stanford in 2012 and was the workhorse for the Cardinal's offense. He carried Stanford to an upset win over USC with over 200 combined yards and two touchdowns. The senior followed that up with other big games against the likes of Oregon and UCLA.

Taylor averaged 4.8 yards per carry this year, having collected 1,530 yards and 13 touchdowns. He totaled 41 receptions for 287 yards with two scores through the air, too. Taylor showed three-down ability with his blocking and receiving. Nationally, he is a sleeper prospect who could be a draft-day steal.

Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida

Height: 5-11. Weight: 209.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2013): 2-4.
1/12/13: Gillislee had a superb senior season for the Gators. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry while amassing 1,1152 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gillislee played hurt, yet helped push Florida to a tough road win against Teas A&M. He had impressive games against Tennessee, Bowling Green and LSU, too. He closed out the regular season by destroying Florida State to the tune of 140 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.

The senior has speed and deceptive power. Gillislee is very impressive as a blocker in blitz protection. He has really helped his draft stock this year.

Bell averaged 4.7 yards per carry despite all the action and ran for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012. He also had 32 receptions for 167 yards. Bell went over 200 yards against Boise State, Eastern Michigan and Minnesota.

Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

Height: 5-11. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2013): 2-4.
1/12/13: Ball started his senior season slowly, but heated up in conference play. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry this year on his way to 1,830 yards and 22 touchdowns. Ball had huge games against Purdue, Minnesota, Indiana and Nebraska. He had a costly fumble against Ohio State on the goal line in the fourth quarter.

Ball also had a fumble late in the fourth quarter to end the Badgers hopes of tying Nebraska. The slow start to the season wasn't Ball's fault completely as the Badgers' new quarterback and offensive line were a big drop off from last year. Ball should've entered the 2012 NFL Draft.

Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA

Height: 5-10. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
1/12/13: Franklin was awesome as a senior and really helped his draft stock. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry while churning his way to 1,734 yards and 13 touchdowns. Franklin also caught 33 balls for 323 yards and two touchdowns. He has real quickness as a runner and is shifty, but is more physical and tough than one would think.

Fraklin had a huge performance against USC with 171 yards and two scores. He went over 200 yards against Rise and Nebraska. Franklin showed some real power and toughness in the Pac-12 Championship by running for 194 yards on 19 carries against Stanford and its physical defense. It was a very impressive performance.

Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson

Height: 5-10. Weight: 190.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
1/12/13: Ellington had a solid senior year. His added weight allowed him to be a more effective runner between the tackles and pick up more yards after contact. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry with 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns. Ellington also caught 14 passes for 232 yards and a score. The senior has improved his draft stock.

Ray Graham, RB, Pittsburgh

Height: 5-9. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round (2013): 3-5.
1/12/13: Graham averaged 4.7 yards per carry while running for 1,042 yards and 11 touchdowns. He looked more and more like his old self as the season progressed in terms of speed and explosiveness. The Pittsburgh staff had estimated that Grahma was playing at about 90 percent in the early portion of 2012. He ran for 172 on Notre Dame and 113 on Rutgers, two good defenses.

Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon

Height: 5-11. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round (2013): 4-5.
1/12/13: Barner ripped off big yardage for Oregon all year as its feature back. He had 1,767 yards and 21 touchdowns and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Barner also snagged 20 receptions for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for 321 yards and five touchdowns against USC, but had some struggles against California and Stanford. The speed back is a threat to score on any carry, but he doesn't compile yards after contact. Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska

Height: 5-11. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
Projected Round (2013): 5-6.
1/12/13: Burkhead mildly sprained a ligament in his left knee against Southern Mississippi and that caused him to miss three games. He then missed four more games in the second half of the season. As a result, Burkhead never was able to get in a real rhythm this year. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry over 98 rushes that he turned into 675 yards and five touchdowns. Burkhead finished the 2012 well with 140 yards on 24 carries against Georgia.

Height: 6-1. Weight: 226.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round (2013): 5-6.
1/12/13: Davis was rusty in his return this season and didn't have the same power or explosiveness. He averaged 3.4 yards per carry on his way to just 377 total yards and two touchdowns. Davis also had 11 receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown. He had three fumbles against Texas A&M.

The junior flashed his old ability at times, but he was generally running tentatively and indecisively. Davis should've returned for his senior season to be a workhorse for Brett Bielema, but he entered the 2013 NFL Draft.

Marcus Lattimore*, RB, South Carolina

Height: 6-0. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2013): 5-FA.
1/12/13: Lattimore's season came to a tragic end after suffering a gruesome knee injury against Tennessee. His knee was dislocated and there was ligament damage as well. There is some doubt about him playing in 2013, but Lattimore has decided to make his comeback to football in the NFL. It might be a good idea for him to spend his first season on injured reserve.

Lattimore was having a good season prior to the injury. He was gradually regaining his speed and explosiveness. Lattimore averaged 4.6 yards per carry with 662 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had 26 receptions for 173 yards as well.

Rex Burkhead, Nebraska - Burkhead had an injury filled senior season but he is still a great running back. He runs with great power, has a low center of gravity, and possesses good cutting ability. He does not have blazing speed but he can do just about everything needed. He is projected as a third to fourth round pick and might be an intriguing option for a team needing a number one back.

I like a guy like Burkhead, who will be pushed down the draft board due to a subpar last season (due to injuries). He's no "#1 RB", but you don't need one. Overdrafting to me, is taking a guy who will certainly ride high into the draft period because of a strong last impression (e.g. Lacy). You don't want Lacy, because there will be no value in selecting him.

No value with Lacy because he had strong finish? That doesn't make any sense. He s injured earlier this year and had some strong games vs good run defenses. Im not sure if he is worth it at 17 but we can't complain about not having a feature back if we keep drafting them late.